Why Olympic Stadium is special ?

The National Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It has a capacity of 50,000. Despite its name, the stadium has never hosted an Olympic Games.

Known collectively as the National Sports Complex, the Olympic Stadium is a striking example of 1960s Khmer architecture and includes a sports arena and facilities for boxing, gymnastics, volleyball and other sports. Architecturally, the site is important. Designed by Cambodia’s best known architect Vann Molyvann (who also designed the Independence Monument), it is an example of the 1950s and 60s New Khmer movement, which worked on creating buildings which were specific to Cambodia but included international modernism ideals.

What to explore at Olympic Stadium?

A visit to the stadium suits the frugally-minded, as it’s free to get in, and there’s no-one offering to sell you fake gold medals or copied architecture books. Perhaps someone’s missing an income stream there. You can circumnavigate the 84,000 seat outdoor arena, wander round the sports hall, and be humbled by the training facilities of the taekwondo Olympic athlete competing in London 2012. Early risers are rewarded by the spectacle of hundreds of people doing their exercises around the concrete amphitheatre — everyone has their own particular style and signature moves.

On weekends, there are often local league football matches — come prepared with a hat and sunscreen if you don’t want to pay the modest charge for shade in the main stand. If you’re feeling inspired to be sporty, take a dip in the Olympic-sized swimming pool or join in on one of the impromptu kickabouts in the later afternoon. As the sun goes down, there’s plenty of exercise classes to techno beats for a truly Cambodian fitness kick.

Reviews

This place was recommended by a local for me. It's not a usual tourist attraction but more like a place for locals to relax themselves. It's really enjoying to observe how the Cambodians having their simple but happy life here.People can walk or run around the stadium audience seatings without any restriction which is impossible in any other stadium. There's even free football match to watch . You can buy some local food and drinks easily from the stall inside or outside the stadium and enjoy at any part of the stadium also.